"What wisdom would you impart upon the world if you knew your demise was to be immediate ?" "What matters most to you?"

College professors are frequently asked to plan a lecture with these questions in mind. The searing difference between Randy Pausch's last lecture and all of the others? Prior to the lecture, Randy was told he really did have only a couple of months to live.

I originally wrote what I called a synopsis of Randy's book The Last Lecture on July 20, 2008. A disappointed anonymous Google user voiced an opinion in the comment section. He or she basically said that my writing was not a synopsis. I agree. And as I was about to write a review for the book The Comet & The Tornado, a book written by Randy's colleague, I thought no, I need to do a better job with TheLast Lecture first. One of Randy's life lessons is to learn from our mistakes. I will attempt to do that now.

The title of Randy's Last Lecture, which can be seen here on You Tube is Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. One of the things that I look for in a book is a connection to the author and his work. There is no relevance in my life to childhood dreams, much less achieving them. On that alone I could have passed on this book. But I had seen a portion of Randy's lecture. He is a magnificent and captivating storyteller. I had to read the book. I did...with much joy. By the book's end I had become a victim to a teaching technique that Randy calls the head fake and by that point I had connected with Randy in a major way.

Randy starts off discussing the opportunity to give the Last Lecture, should he do it in lieu of his circumstances, how his wife Jai weighs in on the opportunity and what makes him unique - what sets him apart -what would he speak about. Finally he determined that his life accomplishments were rooted in his childhood dreams and the ability to fulfill most of them.

Randy goes on to talk about how nurturing, supportive and influential his parents were. He spoke of one time when he wanted to paint things on his bedroom walls. His parents asked what kind of things. He said things that mattered to him. And then they let him. This type of parenting forged Randy into the successful adult that he turned into.

The following chapters are devoted to specific childhood dreams and how Randy was able to achieve most of them, with lessons learned along the way. Randy dreamed of:

moving about in zero gravity

playing in the NFL

authoring a World Book Encyclopedia article

being Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek

being a Disney Imagineer

winning big, stuffed animals

Randy's journey to becoming a Disney Imagineer was rather unique and he uses the story to illustrate how running into the metaphorical brick wall should not stop us from doing something. He says that brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

The next set of chapters are titled Adventures...And Lessons Learned. Here Randy tells us when he learned that his cancer was terminal, how his mentor Andy van Dam so eloquently called him a jerk, his relationship with his niece and nephew, meeting and romancing Jai, his father's Bronze Star and a few other stories.

The next section is titled Enabling the Dreams of Others. Randy shares key time management points, the importance of being able to judge ourselves for true growth, a story about Tommy Burnett, a student who went onto work on three Star War's movies, the development of the Education Technology Center (better known as the dream-fulfillment factory) at Carnegie Mellon and how his students excelled and a storytelling tool named Alice.

In the section titled It's About How to Live Your Life, Randy's stories drill into the essence of how to be a decent human being. He says to be earnest not hip, work harder, treat the disease not the symptom, find ways to work together with people, look for the best in everybody, be prepared and don't give up, write than-you notes, be loyal, apologize when need be, tell the truth, smell crayons and learn, communicate, and if you want something, ask. As you read through the rest of Randy's stories here you can't help but to compare him with Dale Carnegie.

Randy concludes by discussing dreams for his children, his relationship with Jai and the head fake. Earlier in the book, Randy describes how his football coach Jim Graham, was able to teach and get his players to learn - without them realizing it at first. This was one form of the head fake. The other was a type of indirect learning. He uses football as an example. The players learn the techniques and intricacies of the game, but the head fake results when they also learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, the ability to deal with adversity, etc. You'll have to read The Last Lecture to learn about the specific head fakes that Randy uses here.

The thing that I admired most about Randy was his commitment and devotion to his family. Past that it was that he went through life - eyes wide open...observing, recording and learning from experiences and people.

If you are a manager, parent or teacher, you have the opportunity to be of influence. Impart Randy's life lessons upon your contingent and encourage them to paint things upon their bedroom walls. Be a dream supporter and build your legacy along the way.

Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO authored a book in 2009, titled Change by Design. Today it ranks number five at Amazon under the category Organizational Change. Tim writes:

This is not a book by designers for designers; this is a blueprint for creative leaders seeking to infuse design thinking - an approach for creative problem solving - into all facets of their organizations, products or services to discover new alternatives for business and society as a whole.

The high ranking at Amazon is not because a bunch of leaders who want to be creative rushed out to buy Tim's book - even though Tim clearly communicates the strategies and business reasons behind engaging design thinking, c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t-e-s in CEO and leader language. Rather the high ranking is because those who work for these leaders are desperately in search of - as in crawling across the hot desert floor in search of a tall, cool glass of water - other leaders who get it, other companies that are doing it and other ways to operate a company better.

If you're a CEO / leader and the word change begins to constrict the little fellers in your groin's environment, relax. You don't have to embrace creative problem solving to change your entire company. Learn about it, become familiar with it and change one outdated personal business practice. Once you've gotten your arms and mind around design thinking and have effected a positive personal outcome, you will be encouraged and excited to use it once again. For design thinking to be effective in your company, it must become a mindset in which you truly believe in.

The cold reality of the situation is that if you're a CEO / leader now and are not already tuned into design thinking, you will never will. Your best bet is to step down from CEO and become a Wal-Mart greeter for your company. The only difference is you'll have the wealth and knowledge of your typical WM greeter, but you'll get to actually use it because you will remain on with your company in an advisory capacity. (Wal-Mart shuns the depth-less pool of knowledge and resources contained in their greeter's hearts and minds).

Could you possibly imagine the courage and incredible self-knowledge of a CEO who understands that he doesn't have the capacity to embrace design thinking, but cares enough about his company to turn the reigns over to someone who does and remain on to help?

The cold reality of the situation is that this person doesn't exist. And this leads back to my number one recommendation for reading Tim's work: Learn to identify CEO's and companies who embrace design thinking. Learn from them. Work for them.

Here's another reason for reading Change by Design: Use it as a compass to help navigate your own road. Read the book looking through the window of your own potential development.

It can enrich your life, it can make your life more interesting and it can save your life. On a December morning in 2004, ten year-old Tilly Smith used it. She saved countless lives that day.

The idea for today's topic comes from an article written in the Chicago Tribune by way of the Tampa Tribune. It's a quick read, go check it out.

Here's the part that jumped off the page into my head: "....the United Nations...asked anthropologists...to collect and record the kind of indigenous knowledge that was key to...islander's survival."

Couldn't we all be anthropologists? Couldn't we all collect and record knowledge? Maybe even the kind of knowledge that could save ours or someone else's life? And how much fun could we have doing it? And how much value could we instill in an other's life when we ask them questions and listen attentively to their answers?

Okay, the kind of knowledge that Tilly used produced dramatic results and captured global attention. The odds that you would ever be in this position are slim. I wonder however, if you could be an anthropologist of your profession? Or an anthropologist of your kitchen? Or an anthropologist of your garden? Or an anthropologist of your muscle car?

It's about seeking out people who know and asking them who, what, how, why and when. It's about connecting with an other's human side to learn. It's about cultivating your mind. It's about life. It is knowledge.

Can you tell when someone is genuine? Can you tell when they really care? Do you think a handful of employees can create a positive impression about the company that they work for? Do you think: When I think about this company, I think about a company that is trying to make a real difference for the people they serve.

A couple of weeks ago along with my wife Rosemary and her mom Mary, I had the privilege of witnessing a live ABC Action News broadcast. I was so consumed with the reason that we were there and the incredible talent of Deanna Marinello along with the support of her brother Miles and dad Victor, that I almost let a very important story slip by. But I didn't, thanks to Deiah Riley, Lissette Campos and Wendy Ryan.

A few days later we watched the ABC Action News special Taking Action Against Domestic Violence, hosted by Deiah, Lissette and Wendy. The grace, dignity and respect in which these three women handled the subject of domestic violence took my breath away. Rosemary had worked with Lissette in the past on behalf of the All Children's Hospital Tampa Guild and I got to meet Lissette that day in the studio. So I sent Lissette a note to tell her how I felt about their program. She mentioned that Joe was also involved. It was at this precise moment when the collective experience of ABC Action News exploded into a rainbow of meaning, understanding and hospitality!

Back to the story that began to unfold in the studio. The anchors that day were Dan Shaffer and Deiah Riley, the meteorologist was Stephanie Roberts, Lissette orchestrated Positively Tampa Bay, the cameraman was Tom Gagnier, the teleprompter was Jude Chaison, their boss Charlie Paul and floor director Joe Papadopoulos. Also in the studio watching the broadcast was a group of kids and their chaperone's from the Canella News Network.

Every single one of the folks from ABC made us feel welcome to be there. In between working the camera, Tom made sure the on air guests had water and was scrambling around for extra chairs. During commercials, Joe would talk to everyone (particularly the kids) and let us know what was going on. This was most impressive as Joe obviously had duties to perform during those commercials. Following the segment, the crew had a quick debriefing meeting amongst themselves and then held a Q & A session led by Charlie for the kids ( it was open to us as well). Dan, Deiah, Joe and Charlie graciously and with patience, fielded questions. The crew was clearly out of time but Charlie fielded one more question from an energetic little guy. Charlie's kind gesture broadcasted volumes about these folks and their culture.

During the course of events that afternoon in the studio, Miles Marinello leaned over to Rosemary and pointed toward floor director Joe. He said, "that guy right there is the star of the show!" I had actually come to the same conclusion on my own. And when Lissette told me how involved Joe was with the Domestive Violence show, it just all made sense.

But that's not all. Linda Hurtado and Jackie Calloway were guest judges for the Tampa Bay's Premier Iron Chef Challenge and I had the good fortune to not only meet them but watch them take care of a few business matters (a news report from the event).

Perhaps it is not fair to on air folks. We can sense that they care and are involved in their stories, but creepy little doubts of, oh they are just acting can whisper into our ears. I know that not only the on air folks but all of the folks I met from WFTS are genuine. I know they care. I know they are hospitable. And now because of them I have a most favorable and respectful opinion of WFTS ABC Action News in Tampa!

Do they make a difference to the people who they serve? They did to Rosemary, Mary, the Marinello's, to me, and they most certainly made a difference to the kids in the studio that day!

Although this artwork is breathtaking, I'm talkin' bout the artwork of Scott Ginsberg. Go here for that artwork. I'm thinking if Dale Carnegie were still around today, this is the kind of stuff that he would be writing about.

For an explanation of my post's title, please go to point 6 on Scott, the Name Tag Guy's post.

Do you know what at times, I am uncontrollably guilty of? Picture Number Five, the robot from Short Circuit:

Need input. Need input. Need input.

I blast around to every little corner of the Universe looking for more. More information, more knowledge, more wisdom.

I have some advice for you David. Take a deep breath, and then exhale. Relax. Scott Ginsberg has just what you need...well, except for that mountain retreat with that huge window that overlooks the valley where you could take a journal and quietly address this bright and articulate young man's thirty points. Seriously David, this isn't rocket science. Scott tells you what you need to do.

Listen man, I have an idea for you. This will require discretion, courage and valor. Perhaps you could work for folks like Scott and Dan Schwabel? We both know how much you admire this generation! Perhaps you could infiltrate organizations over run with old coots like youself and teach them about folks like Scott and Dan?

The 1000 Journals Project is a story about creativity, collaboration, freedom of expression, expression of the soul and beauty. The 1000 Journals Project is a book written by Someguy. Or perhaps it is a collection of creativity, collaboration, freedom of expression, expression of the soul and beauty, assembled by Someguy in book form, encased in stunning cover art by Linda Zacks. The 1000 Journals Project is a physical movement started by Someguy in 2000.

I bought the book back in March. I'll use the book for a few pages and then set it back on the shelf to brew. It wasn't until recently that I realized there was an accompanying Web site. It is Someguy's words on creativity on the site that hold me spellbound. Listen up:

If you ask a kindergarten class how many of them are artists, they'll
all raise their hands. Ask the same question of 6th graders, and maybe
one third will respond. Ask high school grads, and few will admit to
it. (explained in Orbiting the Giant Hairball)

What happens to us growing up? We begin to fear criticism, and tend to
keep our creativity to ourselves. Many people keep journals, of writing
or sketching, but not many share them with people. (when was the last
time a friend invited you to read their diary?) You will not be judged
here. And you will have company. This is for you. For everyone.

Stop my soul in time and orbit my conscious with utter amazement! Someguy gives folks a chance to liberate themselves from the crust of adulthood...to peal back to a time when their souls poured forth, unimpeded from the fear-filter imposed by society.

Dave's 1000 Parent Project - If you are a parent of a child between K-6, or knows of someone who is, commit to the following: I will celebrate and encourage my child's uniqueness. I will nurture not criticize. I will prepare her to deal with society's cold shoulder and her teacher's indifference. She will step into the world as a warrior. She will protect others who aren't as strong. She will respect other's opinions but not be swayed unless her spirit agrees. She will walk tall and proud into the world as a child of creativity. She will live and let live and those who cross her path will breath deep her energy.

The gentleman who wrote the following words is an artist. He survived the critics. His mind is a mind that wasn't swayed.

The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense.Take what you have gathered from coincidence.The empty-handed painter from your streetsIs drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.This sky, too, is folding under youAnd its all over now, baby blue.

At some point over the last few years I lost the desire to camp out at the local post office in sweet anticipation of my next Fast Company magazine. I cannot wax lyrical articulation as to why. I can only say that maybe, just maybe, they lost a little bit of their soul.

A Westerly wind blew into my life a couple of years ago and gently nudged me into the prevailing trade winds of Design. I've read many books on the subject and subscribe to at least four different design magazines. An appreciation for design has allowed for a finer appreciation of culture and deeper tie-ins to the art of communication. The ability to look through a different lens at one's favorite subjects is most exhilarating!

Sailing at sea with my four design magazines, I always seem to notice when other design magazines float by. It was about a year ago when I picked up Good. Aesthetically, it has off the chart design appeal. I love it. But it is Good's content that has me remembering Fast Company's good old days. Creators say Good is for people who give a damn. They say it's an entertaining magazine about things that matter. I agree. Troll through their Website a bit and you'll get a feel.

When one subscribes to Good, one-hundred percent of that payment goes to one of its twelve nonprofit partners. My proceeds go to Room to Read.

"Perhaps, sir, you will someday come back with books."

While visiting a remote mountainous area in Nepal, John Wood, founder of Room to Read, came upon a school in horrific condition. It did however, have a library. The problem - it contained fewer than twenty books.

John did go back...with books. Room to Read grew from the seeds of John's gestures.

We construct force fields to survive the daily onslaught of advertising overload. (unless, like me, you crave the stuff. I'll explain this sickness in a future post). Sometimes however, a message pierces your armor and lodges in your heart. The second that I heard about John's mission was the second right before Room to Read's message landed in my heart. There will most definitely be some sort of dave-involvement with this organization in the future!

"Jeepers Dave, we're not sure we got our money's worth with that review."

"Let me get this straight, you're paying me for this review?"

"Well, errr, uhhh..........no, but could you tell us a little more?"

Dave is a softy, he relents.

After reading Remarkable Leadership the first time, I closed the book and the first word that popped into my mind was prolific. Remarkable Leadership is not just a book, it is a work. Kevin focuses on thirteen core competencies. They constitute Remarkable Leadership. Each competency gets a chapter and Kevin weaves within each chapter components that entice you to participate.

"Participate Dave?"

Yes. Kevin begins each chapter with a self-assessment. This technique sets the stage for the book to become a conversation. Then he provides in depth content on topics like continuous learning. Kevin sculpts out each chapter with:

Skill areas

Your now steps

Bonus Bytes

Your Remarkable Principles

Remarkable Resources

Bonus Bytes and Remarkable Resources direct you to an accompanying Web site that is packed with extra information.

If you are a teacher, mentor, manager, boss, coach, executive or otherwise bigwig, this book is for you NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Jack Welch could benefit from reading Remarkable Leadership.

"Daaaaave, we're feelin' a twist in the road ahead"

Do you know why Jack Welch could benefit from reading Kevin's book? Because he isn't a bigwig anymore. If you work, you need this book as much or even more than your manager does!! Two reasons:

By understanding how your manager is trying to lead you, you'll become more effective.

You can become more effective.

Do you know that little guy who is dressed in white and sits on your shoulder?

"Now Dave, keep it together. Don't loose it buddy."

Well, he kept asking me one question as I read the book. He said, "Dave, what if you dropped the word leadership?" I knew exactly what he meant. I had the same thought myself.

"Your toast."

If you approach reading Remarkable Leadership with the intent to become more effective, you will. Nearly everything that Kevin talks about, can be instructive learning for every working person out there. For instance, Kevin devotes time to the act of Listening. Now, as much as you hope they would, do you think only leaders could benefit from advice on listening? How about learning, dealing with change, communicating, telling stories, building relationships, networking, customer service, building values, creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, problem solving, making decisions, responsibility, accountability, projects, processes and goal achievement??

"Dave! You rebounded son!!"

Remarkable Leadership is a prolific book. I would bind it with good, hearty stock, cover it in leather and cherish it for a lifetime. But that's just me.

How can I tell you what I think with brevity and crystal clear clarity? How can I make it interesting enough so you will tell others? How can I get you to come back?

I think deeply about the above questions. Personally however, I have a huge problem. Picture yourself wanting to build a new home. The most important part of a home is its foundation and basic structure. This is where you need to start. But your mind cannot choose a foundation so it drifts toward the floor plan and interior design. Both important components but each will not amount to a hill of beans without the correct foundation. And so it is with me. My mind drifts toward bright and engaging communication, when it should be thinking about foundation. What is your core idea dave? What is that word that when people speak, associate it with you?

I thought I might have a bit of fun here with this idea. So I am going to list my fellow JJLN authors and then list the first word or phrase that comes to mind about them. For the authors that I do not know that well I am going to visit their Web site and insert the first thing that comes to mind. I encourage my colleagues to copy and past this list and then create their own associations. Even if you are not a JJLN author, feel free to contribute. Heck, add more names if you choose.

Ok, I got a little carried away. I couldn't list just one thing that came to mind about these folks. These are my perceptions. And one perception I must expand upon before it is taken out of context. Terry Starbucker - women. To begin with, Terry is one of my most favorite writers. His insight into business and life is as crystal clear as Rocky Mountain water. Add in the essence-of-Terry, the glass-half-full philosophy of life, and we're talkin' life after service company exec here. Here's the women connection (and it ain't deep); I've noticed that more women link to Terry's site than other business-life writers.

"dave, I thought you were going to review Harry and Christine's book here?"

The Beckwiths weave life tales and experiences around advice that navigates us through the narrow and shallow channels of business.

You are the CEO of you. If you have established a core idea for your Web site or are on the journey of discovering one, you'll need a copy of You, Inc., to help clarify your communications. And, if you want to create a word or phrase that you'd like folks to associate with you, do so. Then repeat that word before and after you read each of Harry and Christine's two hundred and seventy six chapters and you'll be on your way!